FAQs

A Dark Sky is a natural night sky unaffected by light pollution.

Light pollution, or artificial light at night, is the presence of unwanted, inappropriate or excessive artificial lighting.

It disrupts the natural patterns of wildlife, contributes to the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, disrupts human sleep, and obscures the stars in the night sky. 

Artificial light is light ranging in wavelength from the ultra violet to the near-infared that is caused, directed or used by humans for any purpose. 

Components of light pollution include:

• Glare – excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort
• Sky glow – brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas
• Light trespass – light falling where it is not intended or needed
• Clutter – bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources

Light pollution is a product of modern civilization. Sources of light pollution include buildings (exterior and interior lighting), advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights and illuminated sporting venues.  

Light pollution is one of the most significant changes that humans have made to the natural environment and can have serious consequences for humans, wildlife, ecosystems and our climate. It is a rapidly growing problem around the world.

Human health: Excess light at night lowers melatonin production, which has been shown to result in sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and other health problems. Depression, obesity and breast cancer have also been linked to excessive night-time lighting.

Wildlife: Life on Earth relies on the predictable rhythms of day and night. Wildlife and ecosystems have evolved with day-night cycles and light pollution disrupts the natural behaviour patterns of wildlife including predator-prey relationships, foraging and feeding, mating and reproduction, wayfinding and migration. Well-known examples where light pollution has had detrimental effects include Bogong moths (insects), sea turtles and migratory birds.

Energy: Use of artificial light at night contributes to the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere through energy use. Because we produce so much excess light, much of this energy use is unnecessary.

Visibility of the night sky: Light pollution obscures the visibility of stars in the night sky. Studies show that over 1/3 of people in the world cannot see the Milky Way and that its visibility is continually decreasing. 

Experiencing the night sky provides perspective, inspiration and helps us to reflect on our place in the universe. The history of scientific discovery and even human curiosity itself is indebted to the natural night sky. 

Visible access to night skies has always been, and remains, critical for navigation and astronomy. 

It is an international commitment to protect the night skies for present and future generations.  For over two decades, the International Dark-Sky Association has managed the award-winning International Dark Sky Places Program (IDSP). 

The movement encourages communities all over the world to upgrade to more efficient and appropriate lighting, to reduce unnecessary lighting, and to value the night skies for their benefits and beauty. 

Australia has amazing night skies, such as those of Carrickalinga, and yet these too are being continually degraded by surrounding light pollution.  Becoming a Dark Sky Community will help protect the community and environment from local light pollution and provide inspiration for surrounding areas to protect our spectacular night sky.  

Lighting is ‘smart’ when appropriate for the task, and refers to where, when and the amount of light produced.  This is better termed ‘smart lighting design’ where the need, the timing and the minimum requirements for light are assessed. 

Smart lighting means that we:

• Use targeted lighting - light only when and where we need
• Use shielded lights and direct them downward, avoiding light trespass
• Use energy efficient bulbs that are no brighter than necessary
• Use warm white or amber-coloured bulbs
• Use controls such as motion sensors and dimmers

The term ‘smart lighting’ is also used to refer to the ability to control lighting options through the internet, an integrated system that involves light sources, luminaries, sensors and control units, connectivity and analytics.

Night sky friendly lighting is a win-win-win option.  It provides health and safety benefits, assists our wildlife, and saves money.  

It is an urban myth that more light is safer.  In truth, the research finds that well-designed lighting is safer. 

Visibility should always be the goal. Glare from bright, unshielded lights actually decreases safety because it shines into our eyes and constricts our pupils. 

Carefully targeted and uniform lighting are critical element of night-time safety. Bright and glary lights are shown to detract from safety. 

Safety is of concern to all communities and is one of the benefits of smart lighting.  By carrying out lighting inventories and assessments, communities can identify and retrofit inappropriate lighting (especially glare) and make places safer and more secure.

‘Dark sky’ does not mean ‘dark ground’. Smart lighting means you can have a dark sky without losing light on the ground.

There are human health, ecological health and economic benefits in protecting the natural night sky.  

The human health benefits are many and range from better sleep to physical and mental well-being. Plants and animals, and indeed whole ecosystems, have evolved with the natural day/night cycles and so keeping this as natural as possible is of great benefit for wildlife, and essential for the survival of many species. Economic benefits are also very clear, with energy savings translating directly into monetary savings. This also helps with mitigation of climate change by reducing energy production emissions into the atmosphere. 

Investment in the future of dark skies is valuable for many reasons. 

An IDA International Dark Sky Community is a town, city, municipality or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support of dark skies. Dark Sky Communities excel in their efforts to promote responsible lighting and dark sky stewardship, and set good examples for surrounding communities.                                                                            https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/communities/

The “Made by Nature” Fleurieu Coast community of Carrickalinga has only 38 streetlights. The upgrade of these lights can be achieved for little cost and effort and the Carrickalinga Ratepayers Association who are driving this proposal and will be responsible for all activities required to receive a Dark Skies Communities Accreditation, including the cost of light shields, and working with Council on the development of a Dark Sky Lighting Policy. 

Carrickalinga could then become the first Dark Sky Community in Australia. With less than forty such ‘communities’ in the world at this stage, this would be a great accomplishment indeed. 

This initiative of the Carrickalinga Rate Payers Association aims to reduce light pollution, improve human and environmental health, and save both money and energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, so residents and visitors alike can enjoy the night skies into the future. 

Stargazing brings joy and wonder to all of us in different ways and the starry skies of the Fleurieu Peninsula are precious.

The International Dark Sky Association has different classifications of Dark Sky Places. These include Communities, Parks, Reserves, Sanctuaries and Urban Night Sky Places.  Carrickalinga is applying to be a Dark Sky Community.  Dark Sky Communities undertake efforts to educate residents and visitors about the importance of dark skies.  In addition, they ensure that their own community does not contribute to the increasing light pollution problem.  

There is much we can all do at home and at work.

To begin with, use dark sky friendly lighting. Assess the outdoor lighting around your home or business to ensure it is smart/well-designed, remembering that well-designed outdoor lighting has benefits such as: 

• Lower power bills and greenhouse gas emissions through efficient energy use
• Improves security by avoiding glare
• No light spillage or trespass to annoy neighbours, motorists or pedestrians
• Reduced disruption to wildlife feeding and breeding, including to nocturnal animals
• Preservation of the night sky

When you upgrade home or business lighting, use smart lighting.

Use outdoor lighting only when and where it is needed, make sure outdoor lights are properly shielded and directed down instead of up into the sky, and close window blinds, shade and curtains to keep light inside.

You may like to take part in the Globe at Night international citizen science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen-scientists to measure submit their night sky brightness observations. It's easy to get involved - all you need is computer or smart phone: https://www.globeatnight.org

Although ‘fairy lights’ and other decorative lighting can add to light pollution, there are ways to do this without causing a problem.  LED fairy lights use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and they do not get hot. By using warm white or amber LEDs and a timer, minimal environmental damage will occur. Timers are useful to ensure that nocturnal animals still have a dark night.   

Solar pathways lights can be very useful at night. The best advice is to use shielded lights so that light is directed towards the ground, and use warm colours such as warm white or amber rather than bright white. Also ensure you are only using as much light as is needed. 

A Dark Sky commitment doesn’t mean no lighting; it means smart lighting. 

https://www.darksky.org/

International Dark Sky Places - International Dark-Sky Association

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/light-pollution

https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/lightpollution/abstract.asp 

https://www.jmu.edu/planetarium/light-pollution.shtml

https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/lightpollution/glare.asp

National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife (agriculture.gov.au)

Building and development factsheets | Clarence Valley Council (nsw.gov.au)

Lighting, Crime and Safety - International Dark-Sky Association (darksky.org)

https://www.darksky.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Chicago-Alley-Lighting-Project.pdf